4 Former Reds Targets and World Cup stars who could have been a hit

Lee Chung Yong – The 21 year old Bolton winger has already made an impact in this year’s World Cup. Scoring a composed finished against Argentina after Martin Demichelis made a mistake, he made the score 2-1 going into half time in the second group match, and set up a tight second half where Korea had opportunities to equalise. They may have eventually lost the match 4-1 but they showed great attacking endeavour during the match and deserved to go through the group stages to play Uruguay. Lee is still only 21 years of age and impressed greatly during his first season with Bolton Wanderers. He will no doubt play a key role, alongside Park Ji-Sung in getting the Koreans further into the tournament.

Eljero Elia – The Netherlands have struggled to create opportunities in the first few matches of the World Cup, and it has been attributed to the absence of the pace of Arjen Robben in the side. The Dutch team looks unbalanced with Rafael van der Vaart playing on the left and the consequence has been that they have played too narrow and lack pace on the wings. The introduction of 23 year old Elia has made a dramatic difference in the first two group matches. He created Holland’s second goal against Denmark in the first match, hitting the post before Dirk Kuyt put away the rebound, and he gives the team both width and pace. No doubt, Robben will get the starting berth ahead of him but Elia looks a ready made replacement if another injury befalls the Bayern Munich winger.

Rafael van der Vaart – Classy as ever in the Dutch midfield despite the Netherlands struggling to fire on all cylinders, the playmaker played a great one-two with Robin van Persie to set up Holland’s first goal against Cameroon. Swapping with Wesley Sneijder on the left hand side of midfield has not helped either player’s game but when both play in the centre of the park; they interchange very well and can cause trouble for any opposition defence. The reintroduction of Arjen Robben into the starting lineup will I think give van der Vaart and Sneijder greater space to work in, although van Marwijk may opt to play one of them, rather than both in the last 16 tie.

Reto Ziegler – Solid as a rock at the back in Ottmar Hitzfeld’s highly drilled Swiss backline, Ziegler is still only 24 and has converted from the left wing to full back while playing for Sampdoria in Italy. Switzerland conceded their first goal of the tournament against Chile after going down to ten men, but Ziegler has looked assured at the back and confident on the ball. He also has the added dimension as a full back to get forward as his years as a winger mean he has excellent crossing ability and a good turn of pace.

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Football Fancast’s Oscar Pye-Jeary documents his time in South Africa following England at the 2010 World Cup.

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